Breakthrough MIT “bubble wrap” water harvester pulls safe drinking water from desert air without electricity

- MIT engineers created a device to extract drinking water from air.

- Functions effectively in dry regions like Death Valley using hydrogel and passive cooling.

- Design imitates nature, absorbing vapor at night and releasing water during the day without electricity.

Design Features

- Bubble-wrap-inspired shape maximizes surface area for water absorption.

- Condensed water collected on specially coated glass, remains power-free.

Contamination Solutions

- Initial hydrogel designs risked contamination.

- Team stabilized hydrogel with glycerol to keep water safe below U. S. safety levels (0. 06 ppm).

Global Water Crisis Solutions

- Over 2. 2 billion people lack access to safe water, including many in the U. S.

- Scalable solution that empowers communities to harness their own water.

- Bypasses failures of centralized water systems and bureaucracies.

Testing and Performance

- Tested in Death Valley, producing 57-161. 5 milliliters of water daily.

- Outperformed energy-dependent water harvesters in harsh conditions.

- Envisions vertical panel arrays for household use adaptable to various climates.

Impact and Future Plans

- Device could replace bottled water and inefficient municipal systems.

- Promotes resilience through self-reliance without dependency on external aid.

- Plans for further field tests to optimize the device in different environments.

- MIT’s innovation serves as a solution to water scarcity, emphasizing human creativity over regulations.

- Offers hope for independence and self-sustaining water access for marginalized communities. 

https://www.naturalnews.com/2025-07-02-bubble-wrap-water-harvester-drinking-water-desert-air.html